110 sq ft antique French ceramic with tripe borders – late 19th century
Now fully restored and ready to relay, this impressive French ceramic is currently being prepared for shipping to us from France.
These fine handmade ceramics date from the latter part of the 19th century and display their stunning detail and colors across the three tile series of a Moorish themed field tile, a same size border and a half-size ‘star and bar’ border, which is laid in duplicate.
c.6.7 inches square these are quality, heavy ceramics weighing over 3lbs each. The total surface is c.110 sq ft+.
Owing to their handmade production in small batches, over 140 years ago, there are tonal variations in some of the tiles, most notably in the large border tiles, and we have shown that in the gallery when photographing a selected, representative section of the floor as well as showing single tiles together. The floors stunning design detail, colors and tones deliver a charming, unique antique patina.
For provenance, we include scans from the original Carrelages Boch Freres, Maubeuge (NORD) France catalog in the gallery showing the presentation of the tiles in 1881, and can supply tile quantities by tile type on request.
Note:-
Our antique tiles were originally handmade in single or two tile molds. Pre-computer fabrication these molds were machined by hand & the colour slips to create the tile were mixed by measure and eye. When firing the tiles, the kiln temperatures of c.1,100F degrees could also be variable. The result of this production process is that tiles made during this period of non-automation often display subtle size & thickness variations and there can be tonal variations in colors, all of which add to their charm and uniqueness. When photographing a floor, we always take a random section so that it is representative of the whole in tones and patina.
A rigorous quality control during the restoration process will include in the sale any tiles with groutable small chips and edge nibbles, expected of tiles more than 100 years old, but include for free any with larger defaults as rejects, which the tiler can then use for offcuts.
Can we help?
If you can provide a technical drawing, or a simple sketch with key dimensions, we are happy to assist in evaluating and recommending the best layout of the floor in your area of choice. Click here for more details